Strawberry, Basil and Balsamic Pizza

My heart is so heavy for those affected by the tornadoes in my home state that I can’t really talk about anything else today. In case you haven’t heard on the news, a tornado two miles wide wiped out a swath of Central Oklahoma twenty miles long. It was a monster. The tornado came within 200 yards of my best friend’s home, where she lives with her husband and their sweet little girl, Ruby. Fortunately, they were safe in their storm shelter and her home is still intact.

I want to run back to home and help, but I know there is already a surplus of volunteers. Oklahomans are exceptionally compassionate and generous people. Oklahomans take care of one another.

So, pizza. I’ve been itching to share this strawberry pizza with you all for over a week now. Strawberries on a pizza might seem a little funny at first, but if you think about it, tomatoes are fruit, too. Strawberries get all juicy and roasty in the oven like tomatoes do, too. Combine them with golden mozzarella and goat cheese that melts into oblivion on a whole wheat crust and you just might find a new favorite. Top it with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic reduction and, you guys—this pizza is a revelation.

This pizza is also super simple to make. I took a shortcut and used store-bought (Trader Joe’s) pizza dough, but Melissa has a 10-minute pizza dough recipe if you’d like to go the homemade route. For an even quicker version, you could use pre-made flatbread or naan as the base. If you enjoy strawberries, goat cheese, basil and balsamic vinegar, I have no doubt you’ll love them combined on a pizza.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.* Roll out your pizza dough into a 12 to 14-inch round on a floured surface. Top the pizza dough with the shredded mozzarella, big crumbles of goat cheese, and strawberries. Bake on a lightly oiled baking sheet (or on a pizza stone, if you have one) until the cheese is bubbling and golden and the crust is crisp underneath, about 35 to 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the balsamic reduction. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar and honey. Gently simmer the mixture on medium-low heat until it is reduced in volume by half (this should take about 10 to 15 minutes) and set aside.

Once the pizza is done baking, top it with a sprinkle of basil and freshly ground black pepper. Slice it and use a spoon to lightly drizzle balsamic vinegar on top, as shown in pictures. Serve!

Notes

You'll end up with lots of extra balsamic reduction, which you can use in salad dressings, on crostini, yogurt, ice cream, tomatoes...

The instructions for my pizza specified to bake at 350 degrees, which I know is low for pizzas. I went ahead and baked at 350 until the cheese was bubbling all over and the crust was crisp throughout and the strawberries were juicy and roasted and I don't think it could have turned out any better. If you want to crank up the heat and keep an eye on your pizza, though, go for it.

If you don't like goat cheese... that is unfortunate. Just add extra mozzarella. Feta may also be good.

It’s actually unbelievable watching tornado footage here in Montreal…we NEVER get weather like that and I can’t even imagine how dangerous and scary that must have been for everyone!
Hard to transition, BUT! This recipe is gorgeous and sounds totally fabulous! Love it!

i can understand your devastation to the tornado. i cannot imagine having something like that happen to the area i grew up and be close to my loved ones. that link of the dog being found, though, is such a sweet moment in an otherwise hellish time.

this had to be the most beautiful pizza i’ve ever seen. basil and strawberries go so well together. it’s such a nice departure from traditional toppings.

I have friends who live in Okalahoma, too, and my heart has been breaking for everyone. Being an Arkansan, they’re my next door neighbors in a sense. And on a totally unrelated note, this pizza looks divine. I know what I’m using my newly planted basil on really, really soon!

I just dropped by to say that every one of your posts is absolutely mouth watering and inspiring. So much so, that I’ve been inspired to create my own food blog and express myself through food. Thank you for the absolute beautiful posts and for the influence!

Ooh I love strawberry and balsamic and goat cheese… but I’ve never thought of doing a pizza with those flavors. Definitely trying this soon. Actually, I think it may feature heavily in my dreams tonight, and result in a drool soaked pillow. Thanks?

I made a sweet strawberry pizza a while ago using a pastry dough. It was soooo good. Maybe too sweet. I have to try this version because strawberries on a pizza was such a revelation. Also, the devastation in OK is so horrible. My heart aches for all those affected. I watched that video of the woman finding her little dog in the rubble and I seriously wept. Then I pulled my pug close to me and uuuuugggggly cried, for real. I cannot imagine.

glad to hear that your friends and loved ones are ok. it’s been heartbreaking to see and hear what people have lost. but it’s been uplifting as well hearing people not giving up, and wanting to rebuild.

strawberries are so perfect these days, it’s hard not topping any dish with them. i will have to try strawberry pizza one day, i’m intrigued.

Nice recipe. I wish you wouldn’t use the tragedy to get more views though. It seems really out of place.. I can understand worrying about your friends but a sentence or two would have summed it up.. don’t “milk” it.

Hi anonymous, I would respond to you directly via email but you haven’t left a valid email address so I can do so. I want to clarify that I have spent 24 of my 27 years in Central Oklahoma. My heart resides in Oklahoma with my friends, my family and my fellow Oklahomans. I assure you that obtaining page views was not my objective in this post; rather, I was directing the kind people who visit my blog to the ways that they could help most. Right now, what first responders need most is monetary donations. I have not once promoted this post as an “Oklahoma victims” post and do not stand to benefit personally from the message in this post. I’m offended that you would assume otherwise. You’re no longer welcome on this blog and I suggest that you direct your negative energy elsewhere. Those affected by the tornado don’t deserve it and I will NOT stand for it.

The strawberry basil and balsamic pizza is an absolute delight Kate ! Reminded me of the Strawberry Fields pizza aka dessert we used to get at a Pizza place called Little Caesars in Perth. We are a first time visitor to Cookie and Kate and we are blown away ! Amazing look and feel and the food is looking yummy ! We are novices at blogging and me and my wife have recently started a foodiepot ourselves

The flavors in this pizza are definitely up my alley. Such a nice change of pace from typical pizza! Well done. Loved the shot of Cookie! — Thanks for the info on where to donate. I’m so glad you + your friend were safe! The news coverage was so horrifying that it was hard to believe it was real. Sending love.

Also, way to go telling that Anonymous commenter what’s up. I thought your reference to the tornado was appropriate and sensitive to those affected by that horrible tornado in OK. Let’s hope plenty of people sent some aid that way after reading this.

I just wanted to let you know – I don’t like goat cheese (I know, I know….I feel bad I don’t like it. Any time it is served to me, I try a bite, and try to like it. I just can’t). But, I made this pizza with feta, instead. Amazing! I put grilled chicken strips on my non-veg hubby’s side. He also said it was amazing. Thank you, thank you!

I didn’t like goat cheese until a few years ago, so I get it! I actually lived in France for a few months in college and missed out on a lot of goat cheese back then. I’m glad you both enjoyed the pizza with feta!

This pizza is so pretty when it’s made and makes the house smell yummy! I wasn’t a huge fan of it (taste-wise) because I am not one to mix sweet with savory… however my hubby ate it like it was going out of style! My mother in law and the rest of my in-laws raved over it too.!

hi! I’m looking for something new to do with the three rolled out pizza doughs I have in my fridge. My 5 year old has voted for this one! Question: do you put any sort of sauce on? Or just the mozzarella cheese and the rest of the ingredients?
We eagerly anticipate your response and are trying not to drool!

Hi. I went to a “potluck bring-your-own-pizza-fixins dinner party “a few weeks ago just as Northern California hit its stride with this year’s first wave of deep red, perfectly firm and a fruity sweet strawberries and… the morning of the party asked to bring dessert. Since I already had the dough made and strawberries on the counter aching to be enjoyed, I thought they might make an interesting if not beautiful and or delicious dessert. It was fun now to search the internet and find your similar strawberry pizza. Our pizzas both had pizza dough (though I used white bread flour), strawberries, balsamic vinegar and honey (both drizzled straight onto the pizza from the bottle), fresh ground black pepper and goat cheese. My version took a slightly different course with Ricotta instead of Mozzarella, and finely-shredded arugula sprinkled on top after baking instead of fresh basil. I think my next try will combine your balsamic reduction and basil with my ricotta and arugula. And I may try tossing a teaspoon of sugar into my pizza dough.
Since the strawberry pizza was also delicious at room temperature, it might even tempt me to crash a strawberry shortcake dessert table at a 4th of July party this year.

Made this last night and I loved it. I’m a sucker for anything with strawberries. I cooked the pizza at 350 and it was perfect.

I have found so many recipes on this website and I can’t thank you enough, Kate (and Cookie). This sounds silly but I really never thought I would find entrees that I could make without meat and enjoy. I’m trying to introduce more and more vegetarian dishes that my boyfriend and I can eat and this has been my go-to website. We try to only have chicken or beef 1 night / fish another and then the rest vegetarian.

Also – I agree with the goat cheese comment. More for us! Looking forward to your cookbook.

Hi! Made this pizza Saturday night for friends! It was amazing. I baked it on my pizza stone at 450 degrees for 15 ish minutes. It turned out great. I only had 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar so made half the amount of balsamic drizzle and still had plenty. Loved it!